Massad Boulos, senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on African affairs, has reiterated Washington’s stance that Rwanda must immediately end all military support for the M23 rebel group and withdraw its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking during an online press briefing following a diplomatic tour of Rwanda, the DRC, Uganda, and Kenya, Boulos underscored U.S. concerns over Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the eastern Congo conflict. “Rwanda should cease all military support of M23 and withdraw all Rwandan troops from DRC territory,” he stated.
The DRC, along with Western powers including the United States and the European Union, accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels—claims Kigali continues to deny.
During talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Boulos also addressed the issue of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group operating from within the DRC whose members are linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He emphasized the need for any peace agreement to consider the threat posed by the FDLR, saying: “Everyone involved must feel secure—whether the threats are current, perceived, or potential.”
Eastern Congo has experienced renewed violence since January due to M23’s resurgence, with the group capturing vast areas in the provinces of North and South Kivu, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
Boulos also confirmed that discussions are underway between the U.S. and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi regarding a significant mineral partnership. He said the U.S. aims to increase private sector investment in Congo’s mining sector, noting that a more stable security environment is essential for economic cooperation.
The diplomatic push comes as efforts to reach a ceasefire continue. In March, President Tshisekedi and President Kagame held surprise talks in Doha, brokered by the Emir of Qatar, to ease tensions.
Boulos concluded by saying that Washington’s involvement in the region is aimed at fostering peace and economic growth, with strategic interests tied to Congo’s vast mineral resources.